A post by Simon gave me an idea for a sticky. Maybe we already have one, but I can't see it. So, howz about a list of basic SD tips and advice? Kinda: Always make sure your phone is charged. Take out your keys when approaching your car or home. You get the idea. Maybe out SD experts could work on it together or something. Might be good as a quick reference for new comers to the forum and a bit of a reminder for us all.
I was thinking about this very thing last night and I'm going to do a Xmas day post (my next day off) on the difference between martial arts and self defence. Hopefully if you like it we can sticky it and refer people to it when they join asking about different styles and self defence. I'll take your advice and add some of the things I teach and then others can add to the list.
One thing that does strike me when we get new members asking about self defence is the fact they think it's all down to them to protect their family using physicality. I think they'd be better off teaching their children to recite their phone number and address, which neighbour to go to in an emergency and explaining to their spouse (in the UK) that emergency phones on the motorway don't have a dialling tone, so aren't broken. Let's face it, you are more likely to need the above than you are having to deal with a physical altercation. Of course somewhere down the line the martial artist does want the physical skills, but to me they are secondary to practical skills.
Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Although I don't think it's up to me if we sticky it. What surprises me is how simple and obvious a lot of SD is; it's just common sense stuff. However people seem to need to be told or shown this stuff and then be reminded. Read into that what you will
So... Keys in your hand before you get to your car/house door. Reverse into parking bays rather than driving into them. Leave enough room in traffic so you can see tyres and tarmac of the car in front. Slow down gradually to a rolling stop instead of harsh braking at traffic lights. Always check the back seat of your car before getting in. Don't get in your car with your back turned to that suspicious looking van with blacked out windows parked next to it. Stuff like that?
Not always the best policy. If you are in a multi storey car park for example reversing in will have you pinned against a wall when you return with your shopping. For a much more in depth explanation we turn our SD expert, jwt. http://johntitchen.wordpress.com/2014/12/02/defensive-parking-and-common-sense/
My personal policy re: parking is to avoid multi storey car parks at all times. If anything, the longer walk counts as extra cardio. But an excellent article, thank you.